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Remote Pilot Operator Jobs in Baltimore, MD (NOW HIRING)

Remote Pilot Operator information

See Baltimore, MD salary details

$10.9K

$120.9K

$191.8K

How much do remote pilot operator jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for remote pilot operator in Baltimore, MD is $120,878.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $54,600.00 and $173,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a remote pilot operator?

A Remote Pilot Operator (RPO) assists air traffic controllers by simulating real-world flight scenarios in training environments. They operate radar and communication tools to mimic aircraft movements, providing realistic practice for trainees. RPOs play a crucial role in helping controllers develop decision-making and communication skills. This position typically requires familiarity with aviation systems and strong attention to detail. It is commonly found in FAA training facilities and aviation training programs.

What does a typical workday look like for a remote pilot operator?

As a Remote Pilot Operator, your day usually involves simulating aircraft movements to support air traffic controller training or operational scenarios. You’ll use specialized radar and communication systems to mimic real pilot responses and adjust flight paths based on evolving instructions. Collaboration with instructors, other simulation operators, and trainees is an essential part of the workflow, allowing you to help create realistic and challenging scenarios. The role often requires periods of focused attention, adaptability to changing situations, and clear communication within a team-focused environment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a remote pilot operator?

To thrive as a Remote Pilot Operator, you need strong situational awareness, attention to detail, and a background in aviation or air traffic operations, often supported by specialized training. Familiarity with radar simulation systems, voice communications equipment, and air traffic control simulation tools is typically required, and FAA certifications may be preferred. Excellent communication, teamwork, and quick decision-making are crucial soft skills for success in this role. These skills ensure safety, accuracy, and effective simulation during high-stakes training and operational exercises.

Are remote pilot operators paid well?

Remote pilot operators, who operate unmanned aerial vehicles remotely, typically earn salaries that vary based on experience, certifications, and industry. Entry-level positions may start around $50,000 annually, while experienced operators with specialized skills can earn over $100,000 per year. Compensation often depends on the complexity of the drone operations and the employer’s industry sector.

How much do remote pilot operators make?

Remote pilot operators typically earn between $50,000 and $100,000 annually, depending on experience, certifications, and the industry they work in. Many roles require FAA Part 107 certification and involve operating drones for surveying, filming, or inspection tasks, often on a freelance or contract basis.

What can I do with a remote pilot license?

A remote pilot license allows you to operate unmanned aircraft systems (drones) commercially, such as for aerial photography, surveying, inspection, or delivery services. It certifies you to fly drones within legal guidelines and often requires knowledge of airspace rules and safety procedures.

What do remote pilot operators do?

Remote pilot operators are responsible for flying and managing unmanned aircraft systems (drones) for various purposes such as aerial photography, surveying, or inspection. They operate drones using remote controls or software, ensure compliance with regulations, and often hold certifications like Part 107. Their work involves planning flight paths, monitoring drone performance, and maintaining safety protocols.

What are popular job titles related to Remote Pilot Operator jobs in Baltimore, MD?

For Remote Pilot Operator jobs in Baltimore, MD, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Remote Pilot Operator jobs in Baltimore, MD look for?

The top searched job categories for Remote Pilot Operator jobs in Baltimore, MD are:

What cities near Baltimore, MD are hiring for Remote Pilot Operator jobs?

Cities near Baltimore, MD with the most Remote Pilot Operator job openings:

Infographic showing various Remote Pilot Operator job openings in Baltimore, MD as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 47% Full Time, 50% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $120,878 per year, or $58.1 per hour.

Operational Technology (OT) Engineer (REMOTE)

Hunt Valley, MD • Remote


McCormick & Company

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 45 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

67th of 443 rated food and drinks producers

People enjoy working here

Good employer

Paid breaks


$87K - $153K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 19 days ago


Job description

You may know McCormick as a leader in herbs, spices, seasonings, and condiments – and we’re only getting started. At McCormick, we’re always looking for new people to bring their unique flavor to our team.

McCormick employees – all 14,000 of us across the world – are what makes this company a great place to work.

We are looking to hire an OT Engineer immediately in Remote Capacity in the US 

What We Bring To The Table:

The best people deserve the best rewards. In addition to the benefits you’d expect from a global leader (401k, health insurance, paid time off, etc.) we also offer:

• Competitive compensation

• Career growth opportunities

• Flexibility and Support for Diverse Life Stages and Choices

• Wellbeing programs including

Position Overview

The Operational Technology (OT) Engineer is a core member of the OT Product Line team, responsible for designing, implementing, standardizing, and supporting resilient manufacturing technology platforms across global plants.

Working within a product-based operating model, this role partners closely with the Product Manager, Product Owner, Architects, Cybersecurity, Infrastructure, and Plant Operations teams to deliver secure, scalable, and high-availability OT solutions that improve uptime, safety, and operational performance.

This role extends beyond a project-based controls function, encompassing full lifecycle accountability—from architecture and deployment to ongoing support, optimization, and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

  • Leads the design and deployment of standardized OT solutions, including PLC, HMI, and SCADA systems, while supporting MES integration and plant-level data frameworks. Participates in commissioning, cutover, and hypercare activities, and contributes to the development of global deployment playbooks.
  • Drives standardization and lifecycle management of industrial automation platforms (e.g., Siemens, Rockwell Automation, Schneider Electric), ensuring consistent configuration baselines and version control. Supports structured patching and upgrade cycles while reducing technical debt across legacy plant environments.
  • Contributes to continuous improvement by providing technical input to product backlogs, identifying automation opportunities to enhance performance and reduce costs, and recommending architecture improvements based on plant feedback. Also supports pilot initiatives under Transform funding, including areas such as predictive maintenance.
  • Focuses on improving reliability and resilience by implementing high-availability and failover designs for critical systems, and supporting backup and disaster recovery strategies for PLC configurations, SCADA servers, and historian systems. Contributes to initiatives aimed at reducing mean time to repair (MTTR) and partners with Site Reliability Engineers to enhance observability and alerting capabilities.
  • Maintain continuous personal learning and development to remain technological relevancy in current and emerging technologies.
  • Perform other responsibilities as assigned by the Supervisor.

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Industrial Automation, Computer Engineering, or related field
  • 6-9 years of experience in manufacturing OT environments
  • Excellent communication skills and a desire to collaborate openly within a fast-moving team
  • Hands-on experience with PLC and SCADA systems
  • Experience with industrial networking concepts (VLANs, network segmentation, firewalls)
  • Understanding of high-availability and disaster recovery principles
  • Familiarity with cybersecurity best practices in industrial environments
  • Ability to travel to manufacturing sites (25–40%)

#LI-NP2  

McCormick & Company is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

As a general policy, McCormick does not offer employment visa sponsorships upon hire or in the future. 

Base Salary: $87,910-$153,870 


Base salary compensation will be determined based on factors such as geographic location, skills, education, experience for this role, and/or internal equity of our current employees as part of any final offer. This position is also eligible to participate in McCormick’s Incentive Bonus (MIB) Plan. In addition to a competitive compensation package, permanent employees of McCormick are eligible for our extensive Total Rewards programs that include:
- Comprehensive health plans covering medical, vision, dental, life and disability benefits - Family-friendly benefits such as paid parental leave, fertility benefits, Employee Assistance Program, and caregiver support - Retirement and investment programs including 401(k) and profit-sharing plans


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